Locking mechanism for the steering wheels of vehicles, etc.



Jan. 29, 1929. Q 1,700,376

A: P. .1. "PINEL.

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE STEERING WHEELS 0F VEHICLES, ETC

" Filed Jan. 7, 1926 3 fleets-Sheet l m/ \N \\L 5 M. B M s a II OJ W %6 m 33% .I\

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Invenidr. Alfred F. J. Finel byWWMW ATlys Jan. 29, 1929. I

A. Rd. PINEI...

LOCKING uscamxsm FOR THE STEERING wnnzns 0F vnmcms, m0

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s d m Jan. 29, 1929.

A. P. J. P'INEL LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE STEERING WHEELS 0F VEHICLES, ETd

Filed Jan. 7, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet Inventor. Alfred P. J. Pine\' byMWk/QWMAZ Patented 25:3

entree ST 1 PATENT FFICEi ALFRED 1 :1. mum, or owner, MASSACHUSETTS.

ma ine. Mn'orrnnrsr: eon rnn s'rnnnme WEE ens or VEHICLES, Ere.

Application med January ly manipulated either to unlock the wheel from, or lock the sarne to, the steering post.

Another object of the invention "is to provide a steering wheel cons on which can be readily applied to any l forin of steering post and releasably locked thereupon.

A further object of the invention is to provide combination lock so constructed as normally to prevent locking engagement between the steering wheel and the steering post, but operable upon the actuation of a predetermined group of actuators to permit or cause the lockeltectively to secure the wheel to the steering post;

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the character described with ineans for latchingor otherwise retaining, a moved actuated controller member in actuated position until released by suitable restoring mechanism so that actuation of any controller, other than one off the combination group, will prevent locking engagement of the bolt.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of key-actuated levers so constructed that after each key is actuated it will be estored to normal positioiu thereby presenting the same appearance as other lreys of the series, thus increasing the ulty of solving the combination.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination lock of the character described with individually operable controllers so constructed that the members of the combination g 1p may operated, either singly, joint or in unison whereby the operator will be enabled apparently to use different combinations to establish the required prede- :elation of the actuators.

A rurther object of the invention is to provide a series of controllers of different diamet having recesses adapted, when positioned in apredetern'iined relation, to receive a co. operating niernber upon the bolt and thereby to permit projection of the bolt into the slot, the radius oi certain of the controllers being not greater than the radius of the bottom of the recesses of other controllers, whereby the 7, 1'926. Serial No. 79,744.

combination fcannot be solved by the insertion of a tool into alined recesses.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying draw ings and will be particularly pointed out in the claiins. I e In the drawings:

' F g. 1 is a perspective view of a steering post and the steering Wheel applied thereto having a lock embodying the present invennon;

the lock and hub of the steering wheel and showi'n the steering post in elevation;

Fig.3 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 2, the cover of the lock being removed, and the steering post, the hub of the wheel and the sleeve intermediate thereof being shown in section;

Fig. a is a detail View in perspective of a preferred form of controller shown in norinal position, with certain of the recesses of the controller ineinbers out of alineinent and adapted to prevent the locking bolt from assuming locking position; 7

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the recesses of the controller member in alineinent and adapted to permit projection of the bolt into locking position r Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of a different form of lock embodying the invention Fig; 7 is a vertical sectional view showing controller members of different diameter together with the cooperating interengaging means of the bolt and. illustrating the reletive positions thereof when the bolt is in unlocked position and the Wheel free to rotate;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of associated controller members like those illustrated in F 7, in which the radius of the sinallerineinber is not greater than the radius of the bottom of the slot in the lm or nieinber;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the end portion of the bolt showing means adapted to en in'the respective controller slots; and,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an adapter sleeve which may be differently constructed to permit a steering wheel otthe character described to be'applied to the steering posts of vehicles of different makes! v The invention relates. to steering mechanisms forvehicl-es in which the -wheel is retatably mounted upon the steering post of a.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through vehicle and is provided with locking mecha nism by means of which it can be rigidly secured to the steering post when the vehicle is in use, and readily unlocked by the driver when the vehicle not in use as when the vehicle is parked, or placed in a garage.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide mechanism which will pe 'mit a steering wheel of this character to be applied to the steering post of any usual vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which can be quickly manipulated either to lock or to unlock the Wheel from the steering post.

In the preferred en'ibodiment ot the invention illustrated herein a steering post 1 hav mg a tapered upper end 2 is shown, the body of the steering post being enclosed in the usual tubular standard 3. The tapered portion of the steering post is surrounded by an adapter .in the form of a sleeve 4 which may be made of any suitable taper to lit upon the steering post and secured thereto by a key 5. The outer surface of the adapter sleeve & is of cylindrical form and adapted rotatably to lit within the hub 6 of the wheel 7. The hub of the wheel desirably is mane integral with a frame comprising members 8, the ends of which are suitably secured to the usual annular hand grip or rim 9. The sleeve is provided with a bolt-receiving slot 10 and the hub with a recess 11 adapted to register therewith so that a bolt inserted through the recess 11 and into the slot 10 will rigidly secure the sleeve and hub together. Preferably the slot 10 in the adapter is slightly tapered from the bottom toward the top and the end of the bolt correspondingly tapered so as to lit tightly therein when in locking position and thereby prevent vibration, the width of the bolt being such, however, that it may never reach the upper end of the slot. This construction also serves to permit a quick release when the bolt is swung downwardly. The hub 6 desirably is provided with a cap 12 having non r its periphery a rib 13 adapted to enter a complementary groove in the top of the hub and a suitable fastening device such as a nut 141: upon the screw threaded extension of the steering post serves to hold the hub in position. Desirably a ball bearing 15 is interposed l etween the lower end of the adapter sleeve -l an d the upper end of the tubular sleeve which surrounds the steering post to enable the steering mechanism to be manipulated more easily.

It will be obvious that if the cap 120i? the hub is removed and the wheel taken from the steering post no means will remain which will enable an unauthorized person to steer the car.

The wheel is provided with a lock which preferably is controlled by a suitable combination adapted to permit engagement of the bolt ot the lock with the slot 10 of the steering post sleeve only when the combination is properly set.

It will be understood that the invention is illustrated herein as comprising an automobile wheel. hub and sleeve adapted to be applied to the steering posts of usual types of vehicles and that if the locking mechanism is constructed to form a part of the original installation of the vehicle the adapter sleeve may be omitted and that the centering post itself may be slotted and made of suitable size and form to lit the hub of the vehicle.

The preferred locking mechanism which is illustrated herein comprises a casing having a lower portion 16 which may be riveted to, or mode integral with, the frame 8 and a cover 17 so constructed and secured to the casing as to prevent the insertion of a tool by means of which it might otherwise beseparated therefrom. The locking mechanism comprises a bolt 18 the free end of which desirably extends into the recess 11 of the hub and is adapted to be projected into the slot 10 of the adapter sleeve or steering post when the recess 11 is in 'alinement therewith. The bolt 18. as illustrated herein, is of curved form and is provided with a wide controller-engaging end 19 provided with laterally extending journals which are pivotally mounted in suitable bearings in the wall of the casing. One

of the journals extends through the casing and is provided with a preferably milled handwheel 19* by means of which the bolt maybe swung pivotally out of locking position to permit the slots in the controlling members to be thrown out of registry as will hereinafter more fully appear. In the particular construction illustrated the controller-engaging end 19 of the bolt 18 is provided with a rib or series of ribs 20 adapted to enter suitably positioned recesses in a series of movable, preferably rotatable, controller members.

The controller members shown in the draw-- ings compris i a series of substantially (uglindrical or arcuate meu'ibers 2i which are rotat ably mounted upon a shaft our-nailed at its ends in the casing. The men'ibers ill desirably are separated by suitable spacing washers to insure independent action. Each of the ru tatable inembtrs is provided with an arm 93 adapted to h e pf by a suitable actuator. lunch of the riaatable members is provided with a sl c adapted to receive the rib 20 of the bolt 21nd,; shown in. Fig. 5, are adapted when arranged in sl -merit to permit the rib Qt) to enter and there. to permit the bolt 18 to be swung upwardly into on en'ieirt with the slot 10 of the adapter sleeve or steering post. The outer wall. of tln rib or'ribs 20 should be made in the form of an are having a center coincident with the axis the fulcrum of the bolt 18 so that the ribs may readily enter the recesses and seat firmly therein. A spring 2 interposed between the bolt and the casin r normally to project the bolt into locking-1 position, Zr his spring is shown as coni 5171 g, but obvio a spi ing might be employed or the lock U so 'counterwcip'h l or otherwise 0 structed as horn-rally to ten l to move to locking position.

Certain recesses ot the series of controller members are so arr; god that who. troller members are in normal pos o c ses will be in alinenient, or such other osition as to permit the entrance ot the rib MO of the locking bolt. Other members series are provider; with grooves W the controller members are in norr are out of alineinent with the recess-9' lustrated in Fig. l, and thereby pre entrance of the or ribs 20 into sucl recess but are adapted to be moved into aineu' illustrated in Fig. 5, or other predeteri relative position to receive the ribs thereby to permit locking movement of 1 bolt.

Any suitable means may be provided tor actuating the controller members. As illustrated in 2 a series of actuator lovers 2? are shown as rotatably mounted upon a shaft 2.8. one end 29 of each lever underlying the arm 23 oi a controller nieniber, while the opposite arm 30 of each lever lies beneath the stem of a key 31. iTwo banks of keys are illustrated in 2, but it will be understood that any number of banks may be employed by properly proportioning' the lovers 2'7. Suitable springs are provided to hold the keys in normal position. A convenient form oil spring which is illustrated herein comprises a sheet of spring steel havi a base 32 riveted, or otherwise secured, to the bottom of the casing and slitted to provide tongues 83 underlying and engaging each o the arms 80. A sin'iilar spring plate 34 har' tongues underlying the tongues 33 may be employed to provide st'i'l s for the actuating levers it so desired.

Suitable means desirably are provided for latching each actuator lever as it is moved to actuating position. A comeoiei F- nisin for accomplishing this ow-p prises a steel plate suitably a bar secured to the cosin -=1 1 r with tongues having; on hoolred'ends 39 adapted to enter respective recesses in the controller members then am Each of the controller ineinbcrs is (lap therefore, to be latched when it has been ac uated so that if only the proper conibina is operated the recesses of all the controller members will be held in predetermined established elation to permit the entrance of the rib or ribs of the lockii bolt, ,riereas it any controller member not of the proper combination actuated it will be held-in actuated position and will prevent the entrance oi the rib or ribs oi the locking bolt into the i "ill series of recesses, so that the proper combination cannot be effectively actuated to establish the required relation until the actuator levers have been reset to normal position.

Any suitable means may be employed to resetting the controller members to norms position. As illustrated herein the restorh member comprises flair-1n 41 having a curved end 42 adapted to engage the upper faces oi the arms 23 of the controller members, the arm ll having trunnions rotatably nc inter in the casing and provided with a handle or milled disk l3 by means of which it can be readily inai'iipulated. Obviously the ro tion at the arm 41 through the handle or 4:3 in a clockwise direction, as illustrated 2, will depress the arins 23 of the controller members to the no-"mal position illustrated raising" the arm 23 of the controller .i e I th actuated and thereby rotat' 3 the arm 42 of the restoring member in a co un .errlockwise direction.

Dosh-ably frictional means may be provided for retaining the restoring member in elevated position although the action of the springs 33 upon the actuating levers or the locking engagement between the latch and notch of the actuated controller member will serve to hold the restoringineinber in elevated position until depressed by rotation of the disk l3. Each of the keys will restored to normal position immediately after it has been depressed by the operator and released so that the keys will all present the usual appearance. Unless close ObSQlVfitlOIl is made the manipulation of the proper combination keys by the operatorinay n be detected.

By reason of the fact that each of the controller inen'ibers is actuated by its own independent actuator, the proper combination keys may be depressed in any sequence, or two or more jointly, orjall of the combination nicnibers depressed in unison so that the operator of the vehicle may manipulate the proper combination in a number of ways, thus further avoiding detection of the proper combination. If any key not a incinb r oi the proper combination actuated inadvert y or otherwise ti co il n'i-sinl'acr coated thereby vill be locks positii i and the woven nt of the loclri. bolt iiito o iative lock 1 osition prove t ed until a of the con .r members hs been restored to l -iposition and the proper combination keys only actua i therinore, failure to operate any oi the combination keys will etl'ectively prevent move ment oi the locking bolt into locking position be readily understood.

In Fig. 6 ac' form of incchanir-iin is illus l in tion each controller member 4 .4 is i with two arms and 46, the arm 45 being engaged by a spring-actuated key 4'1 while the arm 46 is acted upon by a lifting spring 48 tending to hold the actuator in normal position. A. suitable latching spring 49., having tongues 50 provided with ()ll: t ends 51 to engage notches 52 in the controller member, is provided to lock the controller members in actuated position. The restoring? member comprises an arm which engages the under face of the arms 4:5 and is piv iiv mounted in the casing and provided with. a disk or handle 54; by means of which. it may be manipulated. In the operation of this device the depression 01" the respective keys serves to actuate the controller members in the manner above set forth. l hen actuated the controlle." members are held in actuated position by the latching member 50 and are restored to normal position by counter-clockwise rotation of the restoring member 53 as will. be obvious.

As it is more convenient to arrange the series of recesses in the controlling members in alinement when in proper registering relation with a tongue upon the locking bolt it may be desirable that the controlling members S 12111 be made of such di .ereni; diameters that certain of the members will not have a greater radius than the bottom of the slots of the other members so that the combina tion cannot be solved by merely drilling through the wall of the casing and thereatt inserting a feeling tool to deter-mi wh the recesses of the actuators in alinem A construction to obviate such picking ot the combination lock is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 in which certain of the controller members 55 are of large diameter and other controller members 56 of such smaller diameter that the radii of their peripheries is not great )1 than the radius of the bottom of the slots 57 in the members 55. The slots 58 of the members of lesser diameter may be of any suitable depth and the ribs of the locking; bolt may be made complementary to the depth of the respective recesses 5? ant 58 as is illustrated in Fig. 9. Other means may be provided to prevent the picking; ot the loci; such tor c: ample, as interposiug hardened steel washers 59 between the walls of he lccl; and the ends oi the series of actuators.

will be understood that various modilicalons in form. cimstruction and runnerment of parts oi? the mech 1 hi (risclosed may be made \Vltllil the spirit and scope of the tollowin claims.

in the operation or the device the combination keys may be depressed in any sequence, or jointly or in unison to bri slots of the controller men'ibers into alinement or into such. predetermined position will. permit the rib or ribs 20 or" the bolt to enter th positioned slots. The sprin n which acts upon the bolt. will then ifiirce the bolt into locking engagement with the adapter sleeve or with the steering post as the case may be. VJhen the wheel is thus locked to the steering post the vehicle can be steered in the usual manner. When the vehicle is to be parked or placed in a the hand-wheel 19* of the bolt is rotated to depress the bolt, against the pressure of its spring, out of engagement with the slot in the adapter or steering post and the disk 43 of the re-setting mechanism may then be rotated to depress the arms 23 of the controller members into alinement thereby throwing the slots of the controllers out of alinement so that the ribs 20 of the bolt will rest upon the peripheries at the controller members and the bolt Will be prevented from again enterin the slot of the adapter or steering post until the proper combination keys have been again depressed. Thus the steering wheel is freed from its ongagement with the shaft and will spin around upon. the same. a

By reason oi the tactthat the bolt is thus loci-zed by the controller members so that it cannot enter the slot in the adapter or in the steering post it will impossible to steer the vehicle. In other words, the manipulation of the proper combination is necessary to permit or to cause locking engagement with the steering post whileunlocking and retention of the bolt in inoperative position is accomplished quickly by the mere manipulation of the hand-wheel 19 and the disk 43 ot the l.".-St0ll1]g device. Furthermore, the construction is such that no connection can be made between the Wheel and the steering post in any other manner than through the n'ianipul tion of a combination.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent. is:

3.. It. ock for rigidly securing together the steering post oi" a vehicle and a steer 11g wheel rotatably mounted thereon with registerablc bolt-receiving slots in said post and wheel comprising a combination lock mounted on said wheel having a pivotally mounted "actuated locking bolt and a series of relatively movable controller members there- ;or having individual actuators and including; a con'ibiuation group the members ct which are operable in any sequence or simultancoiiisly and once only to establish a predetermined relation ad; ited to permit ellective loci-zine movement oil said bolt.

2. A lock forrigidly securing together thesteering est oi a vehicle and asteering wheel i-otatal i mounted thereon with registerable bolt-re -eiving slots in said post and wheelv using; a combination lock mounted on said wheel havi a spring-actuated bolt and a series of relati ely movable controller mem aers having individual actuators and ncludieg a combination group operable in any or sinmlta-nem sly to establish locking lllOi'Glllt-EIYQ- of said tapered bolt-receiving slots a predetermined relation adapted to permit effective locking movement of said bolt, man ually operable means for withdrawing'and v'zitl'iholding said boltfrom locking position and separately operable means for destroying the iredetermined relation of the controller members thereby preventing etlective rotation of the Wheel upon said post will be insured.

3. A locl: "for steering post 01" a vehicle and a steering Wheel rolata-bly mounted thereon, With registorable in said post and wheel con'iprising a lock mounted upon said wheel having a swinging spring-actuated bolt tending to enter the slot in said sleeve and to saving toward the narrow end of said sl'ot thereby effecting a tight-but readily releasable engagement with the Walls of said slot and bolt-controlling combination having men, s operable to permit said bolt to enter said slot.

4;. A lock for rigidly securing" together the steering post of a vehicle and a steering Wheel rotatably mounted thereol'i- With register-able tapered bolt-receiving slots in said post and Wheel comprising a lock mounted upon said wheel having aswinging spring-actuated bolt tending to enter the slot in said sleeve and to swing toward the narrow end of said slot thereby ell'ec'ting a tight but readily releasable ongagel'nent With the Walls of said slot and bolt-controlling combination having means operable to permit said bolt to enter said slot, means for Withdrawing said bolt from locking position and means operable thereupon to destroy said combination and thereby prevent collective locking action until rc-cstablishment of said combination.

5. A lock for rigi ly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and a. steering Wheel rotatably mounted thereom with registerable boll-receiving slots insaid post'- and Wheel a combination lock "for rigidly r :aid wheel hub to said post COHlpilS- inc; a soiling-actuated bolt tending normally to engage said slots and a cont-roller thereior conu red oi a series of relatively movable members having means to interengage with complementary member upon said bolt when in predetermined relation and thereupon to permit erlective locking movement of said bolt. the interengaging members of a combination group thereof being normally unsymmetrically disposed With respect to said predetern'iined relation and an actuator for each controller member whereby the controller members of said group may be actuated either successively, jointly, or simultaneously to establish said predetermined relation While the movement of any other controller Will prevent establishment of such relation.

6. A lock for rigidly securing together the bolt, whereby free rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and steering Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, with registerable bolt-receiving slots in said post and Wheel comprising a combination lock for rigidly securing'said Wheel hub to said post comprising a spring-actuated bolt tending normally to engage said slots and a controller therefor composed of a series of relatively movable members having means to inter-engage With a complementary member upon said bolt Wnen in predetermined relation and there upon to permit el'lecti've locking moven'ient o'lf said bolt the interengaging members of a cou'ibinatio'n group thereof being normally unsymmetrically disposed with respect to said predetermined relation and an actuator for each controller member whereby the controller members of said group may be actuated either successively, jointly, or simultanco'usly to establish said predetermined re lation While tl movei'nent of any other controller- Will prevent eStabliSl nn'ent of such relation, means for simultaneously restoring the actuated controller meniber's to normal position and means retaining each actuated member in actuated position until actuated by said restoring means.

7. A lock for rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and the steering Wheel rotatably mounted thereon h'aviiig register-able liolt-receivii'ig slot-s comprising a lock' secured to said Wheel having a bolt tending normally to enter said slots, 21- controller for saidbolt having a series of individually rotatable members, an actuator for each of said rotatable members,- in'terei'igaging means upon said bolt and the respective mei'nbers operable when inter-engaged to per mit said bolt to enter said slot, means nor ning the intereng'agirg .ns

acr out of interengagmg relation, whereby actuation only of the men'ibers 01 said group w ll permit ellective interengagement of all of the several interengaging means, means for simultaneously restoring said actuated members to normal position and latching means for retaining each actuated member in actuated position until return to normal position by said restoring means.

8. A lock for rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and the steering Wheel rotatably mounted thereon having registerable bolt-receiving slots comprising a lock secure l to said Wheel having a bolt tend ing normally to enter said slots, a controller for said bolt having a series of individually rotatable members, an actuator -tor each of said rotatable members interengaging means upon said bolt and the respective members operable when interengaged to permit said bolt to enter said slot, means normally retaining the interengaging means of a combination group of controlling members out of interengaging relation, whereby actuation only of the member of said group will permit effective interengagement of all of the several inter ngaging means, means for simultaneously restoring said actuated memiers to normal position, latching means for retaining each actuated member in actuated position until return to normal position by said restoring means and latching means for retaining said members in normal position.

9. A lock for rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and the steering wheel rotatably mounted thereon having registerable bolt-receiving slots comprising a pivotally mounted bolt tending normally to engage said slot, a controller therefor having a series of rotatable members each presenting an arcuate surface provided with a recess, the recesses of a certain combination group of controller members being differently positioned from those of the remainder of the series, means on said bolt adapted to enter all of said recesses when the latter are in a predetermined relation and thereby to permit the bolt to enter said slots and actuators for the respective controller members operable only when the members of said combination groups are actuated to establish said predetermined relation.

10. A lock for rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and the steering wheel rotatably mounted thereon having register-able bolt-receiving slots comprising a pivotally mounted bolt tending normally to enter said slots, a controller therefor having a series of pivotally mounted members each of which presents an actuating arm and an arcuate surface provided with a recess, the recesses of a certain combination group oat controller members being differently positioned from those of the remainder of the series, .a rib on said bolt adapted to enter all of the recesses of said controller members when the latter are in alinement and thereby to permit said bolt to enter said .slots, keyactuated levers engaging the respective arms of the controller members, springs for said key-actuated levers acting to hold the same in normal position and latching means operable to retain the actuated controller members in actuated position, whereby each actuated key will be restored to normal position after actuation and present a like appearance to other key-actuated levers.

11. A lock for rigidly securing together the steering post of a vehicle and the steering wheel rotatably mounted thereon having registerable bolt-receiving slots comprising a pivotally mounted bolt, a controller therefor having a series of rotatable members presenting arcuate surfaces, certain of said rotatable members having a radius not greater than the radius of the bottom of the recesses of other members, means on said bolt adapted to enter all of the recesses of said controller members when the latter are in a predetermined relation and means operable thereupon to project said bolt into the slot in said steering post, the recesses of a cer-v tain combination group of controller members being diiierently positioned from those of the remainder of the series, actuators for the respective controller members operable when only the members of said combination group are actuated to establish said predetermined relation of said recesses, whereby movement of any other actuator of said series will prevent engagement of said bolt with said slot.

In testimony whereof,

name to this specification.

ALFRED P. J. PINEL.

I have signed my 

